How Singapore's growing trail running community is powering a 165km ultramarathon in the country

SINGAPORE: Spanning about 50km from east to west, Singapore is not the first place one would expect to host a 165km ultramarathon.

But earlier this month, more than 1,300 runners took part in the annual Ultra Trail Singapore (UTSG) event, with distances ranging from 20km to 165km.

While larger countries often draw trail runners with mountains and hundreds of kilometres of rugged terrain, Singapore is better known as a concrete jungle - its tallest natural point, Bukit Timah Hill, stands at just 164m. By most measures, the country should not be considered a natural ultra or trail running destination.

But Singapore’s growing trail running community would beg to differ.

UTSG drew about 300 runners in its first edition in 2023. This year, it attracted more than 1,300 participants from 30 countries. 

Runners told CNA that trail running has been buoyed by Singapore’s wider running boom, as more trail running clubs emerge and existing groups grow in size.

Mountain Goat Running Group, which organises UTSG, had just 12 members when it started in 2021. It now has about 600.

One of them is 28-year-old Ament Chia, who started trail running in 2023 and took part in the 80km race on Jun 6, followed by the 20km race on Jun 7.

Mr Chia began training at MacRitchie Reservoir for overseas ultramarathon races. While he felt “underprepared” and struggled during his first trail race in East Malaysia, the challenge sparked a love for the sport.

To prepare for UTSG, he ran five to six times a week and trained for elevation by doing repeated climbs up Bukit Timah Hill. He also joins weekend runs with other trail runners, weaving through Singapore's hilliest areas. 

He said it is the people he runs with that motivate him to push harder during races. 

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